Apparatus for the removal of liquids from containers

Abstract

An apparatus for the removal of liquids from deformable containers includes a first holding device for holding a first region of a container, and a second holding device for holding a second region of the container. The second region is arranged at a distance from the first region, with a removal device for removing liquid from the container and with a drive device which moves the second holding device in a pre-set direction of movement (L) with respect to the first holding device. The removal device is arranged on the second holding device in a removable manner and a support element is provided which supports at least one element of the removal device in the direction of movement (L) in a removal operation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for the removal of liquids from deformable containers, with a first holding device for holding a first region of a container, with a second holding device for holding a second region of the container, wherein the second region is arranged at a distance from the first region, with a removal device for removing liquid from the container and with a drive device which moves the first holding device in a pre-set direction of movement (L) towards the second holding device, wherein the removal device is arranged on the second holding device and is removable as a whole from the second holding device, and a support element is provided which supports at least one element of the removal device in the direction of movement (L) in operation, wherein the second holding device has a groove which originates from a midpoint section of the second holding device and extends through said second holding device in a radial direction to form a radial extending slit within the second holding device wherein the removal device is capable of being inserted into and removed through the groove. 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus has a carrier on which at least one of the first holding device and the second holding device is arranged in a releasable manner. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the carrier has a guide device which guides the movement of at least one holding device in the direction of movement (L). 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the carrier has a C-shaped profile. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the drive device has at least one rotatable drive spindle. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the removal device has a flexible hose element. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one element of the removal device is designed in the form of a one-way element. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the drive device comprises a single rotatable drive spindle. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first holding device is adapted to receive a base region of the container, and the second holding device is adapted to receive a shoulder region of the container. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the support element has a radially extending groove against which a radial projection of the removal device is supported. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the removal device has a cutting element for penetrating through a container closure. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the groove extends in a straight line and at a right angle to a longitudinal direction from a midpoint section of said second holding device. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the groove extends in both a longitudinal direction and a radial direction. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the space between a first holding device and the second holding device is open. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus for the removal of liquids from deformable containers, with a first holding device for holding a first region of a container, with a second holding device for holding a second region of the container, wherein the second region is arranged at a distance from the first region, with a removal device for removing liquid from the container and with a drive device which moves the first holding device in a pre-set direction of movement (L) relative towards the second holding device, wherein the removal device is arranged on the second holding device and is removable as a unit from the second holding device, and a support element is provided which supports at least one element of the removal device in the direction of movement (L) in operation, wherein the second holding device includes a mounting plate which is attached to a carrier element, which carrier element in turn is supported on a guide rail. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein an additional plate is mounted on the mounting plate, which additional plate projects laterally beyond the mounting plate, and supported against a lower edge of the carrier element, whereby prevent the first holding element from slipping upwards when the removal device is in operation.